Cheika’s Leinster battle cry

Leinster coach Michael Cheika has called on his team to give their all in Saturday’s Magners League Grand Final, reminding them that it is, “all or nothing”.

Cheika was adamant that neither his scheduled departure nor the absence of a number of key players through injury and retirement would deflect his side in their crunch clash against the Ospreys.

“The message is loud and clear. This game is about winning the final. It is not about anything else. I wouldn’t want it to be any other way and neither would the players,” he said.

“They think they can get us in the tight-five. They will target us there because they think they can get some yards on us. I’ve seen our tight-five this week.  They are focused on what is going to be the biggest battle of the season. It is all or nothing at this stage,” added Cheika.

Asked whether his move might have an impact on the outcome of the game, Cheika pointed out, “It is not about me. It is about the club, making the club better. It has always been about that.”

He continued, “If we can play well enough this weekend, it will make the club better again. That is what it’s about. That is how we contribute. That is how we will be looked back on, anyway, for the contribution we made, whether as coaches or players.”